Anthony Famularo, Esq.

10/06/2026

Being named in a Schedule A lawsuit doesn't mean a seller has been found liable. But these cases can move quickly and can have immediate consequences for marketplace accounts and funds. Sellers should take the court papers seriously and understand exactly what has been alleged against their store.

Metallica is suing online sellers in a new Schedule A trademark case.

The September 30 lawsuit targets e-commerce stores that Metallica alleges sold unauthorized and counterfeit merchandise bearing its trademarks.

According to the complaint, the stores operated across online marketplaces including Amazon, SHEIN, Walmart, and Wish. Metallica is asking the court for several forms of relief, including restrictions on allegedly infringing sales and monetary damages.

For online businesses, the case also raises a broader question: What happens when your store becomes one of the defendants named in a Schedule A lawsuit?

Our latest article looks at what Metallica is alleging, how the trademarks were allegedly used, what relief Metallica is seeking, and what e-commerce sellers should know if they find themselves involved in a similar case.

👉 Read the full article: https://stockmanporopat.com/blog/metallica-schedule-a-lawsuit?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=Article_Series

09/02/2026

One of the biggest misconceptions with forming an LLC is that filing the Articles of Organization is the entire process.

Thinking about starting a business in New York this year?

Creating an LLC can be a great first step, but filing the Articles of Organization is only one part of the process.

New York business owners should also understand the state’s publication requirement, create a written operating agreement, obtain an EIN when necessary, keep company finances separate, and determine whether additional licenses or registrations apply.

There’s also an important distinction that new business owners sometimes overlook: registering an LLC name with New York does not automatically give the business federal trademark protection for that name.

Our updated 2026 guide walks through the New York LLC formation process, current filing costs, publication requirements, BOI reporting changes, and what to consider after the LLC has been created.

Read the full guide here: https://stockmanporopat.com/blog/how-to-form-an-llc-in-new-york?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=article_series

If you're preparing to start a business, add a partner, or build a new brand, Stockman & Poropat, PLLC can help you understand the legal steps involved.

08/12/2026

Amazon or other e-commerce account hit with a TRO? ⚠️

This is very different from a normal listing or account suspension.

Worth understanding what happens next. 👇

Your Amazon funds are frozen. Your listing is gone. But you haven't been found liable for anything. What happened?

For some sellers, the answer is a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO).

TROs are court orders that frequently appear in intellectual property and Schedule A lawsuits involving online sellers. Depending on what the court orders, Amazon may restrict listings, withhold marketplace funds, or take other actions against the affected seller account.

This can be particularly confusing when a seller believes they did nothing wrong — or even when the product generated zero sales.

The important distinction is that a TRO isn't simply another Amazon Account Health issue. Amazon may be acting in response to an order issued by a federal court, which means repeatedly contacting Seller Support may not address the underlying problem.

A TRO also does not mean the seller has already lost the case.

Our latest article explains what a TRO is, why Amazon sellers encounter them, what happens to listings and funds, and what sellers should know when responding.

Read the full article here:

https://stockmanporopat.com/blog/what-is-a-tro-amazon-sellers?utm_source=social&utm_medium=facebook&utm_campaign=article_series

If your Amazon business has been affected by a TRO, Schedule A lawsuit, or intellectual property dispute, contact Stockman & Poropat, PLLC to discuss your situation.

06/12/2026

04/27/2026

Long Beach has officially adopted its Roadway Safety Action Plan, which means the City can now move forward with applying for federal implementation funding through the U.S. Department of Transportation.

Why this matters:

This isn’t the construction phase yet - this is the roadmap that determines what projects can get funded next.

The City plans to apply for federal funding next month, and officials said grant decisions could take roughly 6 months.

You can review the full report here:

(PDF) �https://www.longbeachny.gov/vertical/sites/%7BC3C1054A-3D3A-41B3-8896-814D00B86D2A%7D/uploads/LBNY-SS4A_Safety-Plan_042126_INDV.pdf

A few major discussion points stood out:

1. Very little time for public review before final adoption

Several residents raised concerns that the full final plan was not posted early enough before the Council vote, making it difficult for the public to fully review and comment on the final version.

That’s a fair concern anytime major infrastructure decisions are being made.

2. The potential for a real connected bike network

The City is recommending pursuing additional grants to explore a safer, connected bicycle network and “Safe Routes to School” opportunities.

That’s a big step because right now Long Beach feels walkable, but not always truly bikeable.

3. The measures being prioritized

Some of the highlighted recommendations include:

• longer pedestrian crossing times
• leading pedestrian intervals (pedestrians get a head start before cars move)
• curb extensions
• speed feedback signs
• better crosswalk visibility
• safer intersections
• closing walk-signal gaps on Park Avenue
• pedestrian push buttons and signal modernization

Many of these are relatively low-cost changes that can make a major difference.

4. How e-bikes fit into all of this

E-bike concerns were specifically raised during public comment.

The consultant noted that e-bike concerns are included in the report, but formal recommendations are still evolving because this is a newer issue.

There was discussion that e-bikes may function more as shared-road users rather than traditional bike-lane users because of speed differences.

This will likely become one of the biggest future policy discussions.

5. Nassau County is separately addressing Park Avenue signals

Separate from the federal grant process, Nassau County is already in the design phase for signal modernization on Park Avenue, including:

• pedestrian push buttons
• additional walk signals
• closing walk-signal gaps

That’s an important immediate development.

Personally, I still think Park Avenue and Long Beach Blvd need the most attention first, especially where pedestrians, cyclists, cars, and now e-bikes all overlap.

The bigger question is:

If federal money doesn’t come through… what should be prioritized first?

Will Nassau's improvements be enough?

What area in Long Beach do you think needs attention most?

Anthony Famularo, Esq.
[email protected]
www.avfesq.com

Long Beach, NY
11561

04/20/2026

You had the idea first, but is it actually protected?

That’s one of the biggest misconceptions I hear from creators, business owners, and entrepreneurs.

Copyright law does not protect the idea itself.
It protects the way you express that idea.

That distinction matters.

A recipe concept isn’t protected.
Your exact recipe, wording, instructions, and presentation are.

Talking about a movie plot or children’s book idea isn’t protected.
Writing the script or the book is.

The same applies to website content, videos, photography, marketing materials, product descriptions, social media content, and digital products.

It also has to be “fixed” in a tangible medium:
-Written,
-Recorded,
-Saved, or created somewhere outside your head

For creators, business owners, and online sellers, understanding this difference can be the key to protecting your work, and avoiding infringement issues before they become expensive.

And while copyright protection can arise automatically, registration gives you much stronger legal protection, including stronger enforcement rights, access to statutory damages, and attorney’s fees in the right case.

Protect the way you express your ideas, not just the idea itself.

Questions about copyright registration, infringement, or protecting your content? Let’s talk.

Anthony Famularo, Esq.
[email protected]
www.avfesq.com
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Attorney advertising. The material included is intended to be informational and the content should not be interpreted as legal advice. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
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#11561

04/17/2026

You get served with a lawsuit.

What’s your first move?

Most people immediately say:
“Can we just get this thrown out?”

I get it, but that’s usually not how it works.

At the beginning of a case, the court isn’t deciding who’s right.
It’s deciding whether the case can move forward.

That’s a big difference.

I’ve had plenty of conversations where someone says:
“But the claims aren’t true…”

And they may be right.
But early on, the court assumes the allegations are true for the purpose of the motion.

That’s why:
-Motions to dismiss are hard to win
-Weak cases can still survive early
-You can spend time and money without actually ending the case

Sometimes filing a motion makes sense.
Sometimes it doesn’t.

The key is not reacting emotionally, but understanding the strategy behind the decision.

If you were in that position, what would you do: Fight it or Try to resolve it early?

If you’re dealing with something like this or just want to understand your options, feel free to reach out.

Anthony Famularo, Esq.
[email protected]
www.avfesq.com

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Attorney advertising. The material included is intended to be informational and the content should not be interpreted as legal advice. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
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#11561

04/07/2026

Most people riding in Long Beach are breaking at least one of these rules without even realizing it.

That’s the problem.

Bike laws here are a mix of:
• State rules
• Local ordinances
• And inconsistent enforcement

But the bigger issue is this:

👉 The laws haven’t kept up with how people actually ride today.

No clear east–west lanes.
Limited infrastructure downtown.
Speed issues with e-bikes.

So instead of solving the problem, the system creates confusion and sometimes risk.

If you’re riding in Long Beach, it’s worth knowing where you can (and can’t) ride, especially with enforcement picking up.

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#11561

04/06/2026

Most estate plans forget one important thing: your pet.

You can’t leave assets directly to them—but you can legally protect their future.

If you want to include your pet in your estate plan, I’m here to help.

For specific guidance, you can reach out through our website in the bio or via email at [email protected]
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Attorney advertising. The material included is intended to be informational and the content should not be interpreted as legal advice. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.